Ogdan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

The origins of the Ogdan name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived near an oak valley, or came from the place called Ogden, in West Yorkshire. The surname Ogdan derives from the Old English words ac and denu, which mean oak and valley, respectively. Other records show the surname Ogdan originating in Somerset, but became prominent in Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Ogdan family

The surname Ogdan was first found in West Yorkshire at Ogden, a small hamlet north of Halifax. Historically part of Lancashire, this hamlet was where Elias de Akeden, de Aggeden was listed the Assize Rolls of that shire in 1246. Almost one hundred years later, Richard de Okeden was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. ^[1]

"This family name, so familiar to South Lancashire, sprang up in the neighbourhood of Crompton and [in the] parish of Rochdale." ^[2] The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list John de Okedon in Yorkshire and the Assize Rolls of Lancashire of 1246-1247 list Elias de Akeden. Almost one hundred years later, the Lancashire Feet of Fines include Thomas Okeden as holding lands there in 1444. ^[3]

Important Dates for the Ogdan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ogdan research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ogdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ogdan Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Ogdan were recorded, including Ogden, Okden, Oakden, Ogdon, Odgen and others.

Early Notables of the Ogdan family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Ogdan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ogdan family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Ogdan family emigrate to North America: David Ogden settled in Delaware Bay in 1682; Randall Ogden arrived in Barbados in 1634; John Ogden arrived in Connecticut in 1635; Charles, David, Emmanual, Henry, James, John, Samuel, Robert and William Ogden all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..

Citations

1. ^ Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
2. ^ Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
3. ^ Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print